New revealing photos of the 2011 BMW X3

These are most likely the last spy photos of the second generation BMW X3. The official press release and photos are days away, and we …

These are most likely the last spy photos of the second generation BMW X3. The official press release and photos are days away, and we will have a chance to see the new X3 fully unveiled. The mid Premium SAV has recently entered the final evaluation phase and several prototypes are being tested on U.S. soil. While the first generation X3 was assembled in Austria by Magna Steyr automaker, the new F25 model joins the X-family at their Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.

The F25 X3 also previews the next generation 3 Series platform, and in the X3, it measures 15.15 feet in length, two inches longer than the current model.

Design wise, the 2011 BMW X3 was rumored to be moving from the “boxy” shape and sharp corners to more rounded design lines and a sleeker look. Judging by this spy photo, the car still seems to maintain some of these “boxy” lines, but at overall dimensions closer to the first generation X5.

The “kicked-up” window line that first saw the daylight in the X3 will be again evident and it will be seen as an X3 characteristic, a design element that will be associated with the model. While sitting higher than the X1, the new X3 seems to have inherited some of the features from the new entry-level compact SAV, mostly around the front-fascia.

With new competition from Audi Q5 and the latest Mercedes GLK, BMW needs a winner on their hands, and the hopes are high for the new X3. In 2004, U.S. sales accounted for 34,604 units, but in the following years X3 sales have dropped to a fraction of that. While the recession can easily be blamed for last year’s dismal sales performance (just 6,067 X3s were sold in the U.S. last year), even 2008 proved problematic; as BMW struggled to move just 17,622 of the entry level SUVs into garages across America.

In the U.S., BMW will bring the xDrive28i and xDrive35i models, along with a diesel model, xDrive35d.

Well, I hate to agree with Viper, but I’m going to have to say that I also think it’s too boring. I won’t agree that Audi is light years ahead of BMW, but I don’t think this X3 is a step forward. Granted, these are still spy photos, but those headlights make me yawn…

mb_81

what are you expecting? a round fat ass car like the q5? headlights are gonna be a mixture of the E83 and new modern look of the E70

Bryce

I am a BMW fan, but right now those headlights look boring. It still has camouflage on it so we haven’t seen the whole vehicle yet, but right now I think those headlights are boring. I’m loyal to BMW, but my wife is loyal to nobody. If she thinks the Audi looks better then I’ll buy the Audi, and right now, I think the Q5 looks better than this.

wazon8

@Bryce: Audi Q5 has bulb shaped rear end which is really ugly or to state it in other words – makes this car looking heavy and clumsy as if it had fat backside. Try to direct your wife’s attention to this aspect of Q5 and ask her whether she still likes it. I’ve noticed that most of people who become aware of this feature start looking unfavourable at Q5.

FreudeKing

I have to agree that the rear end of the Q5 is one ugly image. But then the overall design of the Q5 is much better looking than the 90’s looking boxy X3. I would have thought the X3 belongs in the same generation as the E30 if I didn’t know better.

Let’s hope the new one will be much SLEEKER AND SMOOTHER.

FreudeKing

From the above replies, it is clear that looks is a very important paRT OF A CARS DESIGN. So why are they still leaving it to a rigid process from sketch to product instead of allow for others alterations? These designers talk about they final product being very close to initial sketches as if it is a good thing. I care more about how it has been perfected. But then again, people, especially artists resists to admit that their work is wrong.

If I was the design director, the critieror would be SLEEK, ELEGANCE, SPORTINESS AND FUTUREISTIC….. that should avoid the bug eyes, flabby ass and flat bonnet, or (the sleepy eyes that the 5 has), the pig nose of the 7, The pimple face (foglights) of the X1, The X1’s white eyelashes that resembles the shape of an overgrown toenail (YUCK, I cannot believe that I just said that, but thing about it, it’s true – imagine toenails protrudin above your eyes)

tweer

Its production has been moved now hasn’t it? the old one had terrible build quality.

Alain Forget

Did I just read: xDrive35d??? Wow it’s about time one of the maker wakes up!

100$ GUY

I don`t know, looks boxy and boring so far.
Waiting until the official release for a better opinion!